When to Sealcoat Your Parking Lot

August 11, 2021 Published by Leave your thoughts

Sealcoating is one of the best ways to protect any asphalt parking or driveway from deterioration and damage. From enduring cold climates to protecting against the sun’s harmful UV rays, sealcoating is a leading method of extending the life of any asphalt surface, as it acts as a barrier against inclement weather and other hazards.

Let’s look at when it’s best to do parking lot sealcoating.

Parking lot condition

It’s immediately clear when you roll into a business that it has a new parking lot. The asphalt is a rich black color and very smooth. The difference between this and an older parking lot is noticeable—and it gives customers either a positive or negative initial impression.

Over time, cracks and potholes in the asphalt may begin to appear. There are many causes of this. Often, this failure is due to oxidation of the pavement surface, which can become dry and brittle. The top layer of fine particles disappears, and the larger chunks of aggregate are exposed, leading to cracks.

Potholes form due to water seeping into the asphalt and affecting the soil structure. Then vehicles pass over the affected area and cause the potholes to expand. This type of damage needs to be repaired on a continual basis. Of course, once you have it repaired, then you may want to sealcoat the lot to avoid the condition from recurring. Sealcoating is typically done once every two or three years.

The sealcoating process

Before sealcoating is applied, it’s necessary to clean the parking lot surface thoroughly using sweeping machines and blowers. Then the surface needs to be manually cleaned with a broom. The reason the surface needs to be so clean is that it’s important for the sealcoating to adhere to the pavement.

Then the sealcoating is applied via a pressurized spray or squeegee. The sealant is applied continuously to establish consistency. Following application, it takes about 24 hours for the sealcoating to cure before you can reopen the parking lot to traffic.

How sealcoating addresses the problem

The reality is that sealcoating is a smart move to keep your parking lot looking beautiful and staying functional for years to come. Some of the leading benefits include:

  • Blocks water from intruding into the surface: Sealcoating fills in hairline cracks that are often the first sign of asphalt aging.
  • Reduces oxidation-related deterioration: Sealcoating blocks the sun’s harmful UV rays, thereby extending the life of the pavement.
  • Provides protection from oil and gasoline: Any petroleum-based liquid will join with the binder and soften the asphalt, leading to cracks.
  • Improves flexibility: Asphalt might appear completely stationary, but it is actually flexible, meaning it needs to bend a bit when cars and trucks cross over the surface. Sealcoating improves this aspect of asphalt and slows down the tendency for brittleness to set in.

If your business needs parking lot sealcoating, then turn to the pros at Sunstar Seal Coating, Inc. We provide reliable paving services for all our residential and commercial clients. Our bonded, licensed and insured team members are capable of performing sealcoating, asphalt pouring and concrete formation services. We are known throughout for our detailed and dependable work. Contact us right now to find out more and get a free, up-front quote!

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